136 INORGANIC AGENTS 



Action Internal. — The sulphites are decomposed by the 

 acids in the stomach, and sulphur dioxide (SO2) is evolved. 

 The bisulphite and hyposulphite are richer in sulphur and, 

 therefore, are more powerful. Sulphur dioxide gas is an 

 antiseptic. 



Blood. — If any part of the sulphites escapes decomposi- 

 tion in the digestive tract, it is absorbed unchanged. 



Summary. — Antiseptics, deodorizers and parasiticides 

 externally. Antiseptics in the alimentary tract. 



Uses. — An 8-per-cent. solution of the sulphites is used 

 in parasitic skin diseases. The salts are indicated in indi- 

 gestion with fermentation, flatulence and foul-smelling faeces. 

 They have been greatly lauded as remedies in general septic 

 conditions, but have proved as useless as most oth^r drugs 

 in such cases. 



The other sodium salts are of no particular value in 

 veterinary practice except sodium bromide. (See bromine, 

 p. 226.) 



Ammonium. 



The metal is not employed in medicine. Ammonia 

 (NH3) exists in the free state as a gas, and is used in medi- 

 cine in solution in water or alcohoL 



Aqua Ammonia. Ammonia Water. (U. S. P.) 



Synonym. — Liquor ammoniae, B. P.; spirits of hartshorn, 

 E.; liquor ammonii caustici, P. G.; spiritus salis ammoniaci 

 causticus, ammonia aqua soluta, ammoniaque liquide, eau 

 (solution, liqueur) d'ammoniaque, Fr.; salmiakgeist, aetzam- 

 moniak, ammoniakfliissigkeit, G. An aqueous solution of 

 ammonia (NH3), containing 10 per cent., by weight, of the gas. 



Properties. — A colorless, transparent liquid, having a 

 very pungent odor, an acrid, alkaline taste, and a strongly 

 alkaline reaction. Spec, gr.0.960. 



Derivation. — Evolve ammonia gas by heating ammonium 

 chloride with calcium hydrate, and pass it into water. 



2 NH, CI + Ca(OH), = 2 NH, -h 2 H,0 + Ga Gl^ 



